The week ahead: 26th January-1st February 2015

There’s a return for the UEFA Youth League this week as well as the start of the FA Youth Cup fifth round…

Under-21s

The week kicks off with a bumper Monday programme in the Under-21 Premier League, with 16 of the 24 sides in action across both divisions. There are five games in the top flight where the winners could go top, with just three points separating first-placed Chelsea and Everton in sixth. Second-placed Southampton will be in the driving seat as they take on the bottom side in the league, West Ham, while Tottenham sit level with the top two on 18 points from 10 games played and will be looking to keep the pressure up with a win over Leicester.

Manchester City go to Sunderland aiming to build on an impressive display and victory over Chelsea last time out, while Manchester United host Liverpool in what remains a tensely-fought battle wherever those two sides currently reside in the table.

In Division Two, Middlesbrough have the opportunity to leapfrog Newcastle at the top of the table and boost their hopes of promotion. They make the long trip to Brighton in the knowledge that an away point would send them first. At the other end of the table, Wolves will be trying to secure just their second win of the campaign and move off the bottom of the table as they go to Bolton.

In the cup competitions at Under-21 level, there is just one tie this week and it comes on Tuesday as Norwich host the German side Borussia Monchengladbach in Group A of the Premier League International Cup. The Canaries lost their opening game comprehensively at the hands of already-qualified Chelsea and will be hoping for a response at Carrow Road, with Porto still to come.

FA Youth Cup

The Fifth Round begins in earnest this week with four ties scheduled, starting with Nottingham Forest versus Burnley on Tuesday. Forest beat West Brom 3-0 in the last round and will be confident of securing a quarter-final date against either Tottenham or Manchester United, while Burnley have already knocked out Cardiff City and AFC Wimbledon.

On Wednesday, the holders Chelsea return to action as they host Swansea City. The Blues have been fairly untroubled in the early rounds of this campaign, dispatching Leeds United and then Huddersfield Town so the Swans will be looking to cause an upset at Aldershot Town.

The final Cup ties of the week take place on Friday as strong contenders Manchester City host Stoke. City were impressive as they thumped Coventry 8-2 in the fourth round, while Stoke were equally comfortable as they won 3-0 away at Mansfield. Nevertheless, it remains a tough task for John Perkins’ side to progress past a side tipped by many to go all the way in the competition this term.

Liverpool take on Birmingham at Chester, also on Friday, and will be looking to build on a 5-2 win over Derby in the last round. Birmingham have already put QPR and Blackpool to the sword in this season’s competition and will be looking for their biggest scalp to date in this clash.

Meanwhile, the Sixth Round draw was made this week, details of which can be viewed in full here.

Under-19s

The UEFA Youth League knockout rounds get underway this week with the first tie of the last-16 on Tuesday in Madrid as Atletico welcome Arsenal. The Gunners won two of their three away games in Group D but finished second to Anderlecht after losing twice to the Belgians. That has pitted them against the impressive Spaniards, who won five of their six matches in Group A.

With the route to the final already mapped up, the winners of this one-legged tie will face a trip to Chelsea or Zenit Saint-Petersburg in the quarter-finals and that has got many talking of a crunch London derby on the cards, however Arsenal will have to be at their best to make the last eight.

Under-18s

The first stage of the Under-18 Premier League now enters its final throes before the split that will bring the top six sides from both the northern and southern sections together for a battle for the title. Chelsea and Aston Villa meet in a first-versus-second clash, while Middlesbrough will be looking to extend their lead on top of the north section at home to Derby.

Everton can boost their hopes at the upper reaches of the north section as they travel to Stoke, while Arsenal are winless since September and will be looking to end that 10-game run at home to West Ham.

You can check out more from all the Under-21, Under-18 and European competitions, including every goalscorer and comprehensive club statistics, on our Wiki site.

The week in detail:

Monday – Tottenham v Leicester, Southampton v West Ham, Everton v Fulham, Man United v Liverpool, Sunderland v Man City, Aston Villa v Blackburn, Bolton v Wolves, Brighton v Middlesbrough (Under-21 Premier League)

Tuesday – Nottingham Forest v Burnley (FA Youth Cup), Derby v Stoke (Under-21 Premier League), Atletico Madrid v Arsenal (UEFA Youth League), Norwich v Borussia Monchengladbach (Premier League International Cup)

Wednesday – Chelsea v Swansea (FA Youth Cup), West Brom v Tottenham (Under-18 Premier League)

Friday – Man City v Stoke, Liverpool v Birmingham (FA Youth Cup)

Saturday – Man United v Blackburn, Stoke v Everton, Newcastle v Man City, Middlesbrough v Derby, Bolton v Sunderland, Reading v West Brom, Brighton v Tottenham, Norwich v Leicester, Arsenal v West Ham, Aston Villa v Chelsea, Fulham v Southampton (Under-18 Premier League)

The week ahead: 19th-25th January 2015

The week ahead sees the conclusion of the Youth Cup fourth round, as well as some key Under-21 league action…

FA Youth Cup

The second half of the Fourth Round plays out this week as 16 sides look to progress, with perhaps the pick of the round taking place as Arsenal host non-league Royston Town. The young Gunners squeezed past Reading in Round 3 but have been on a dismal league run in Under-18 Premier League; you have to go back to September for their last win, a run of nine games in which they failed to score in six. However, boosted by the involvement of Under-21 regulars like Dan Crowley, Stefan O’Connor and Gedion Zelalem, Frans de Kat’s side will be looking to avoid the shock of the tournament so far on Wednesday evening.

Also on Wednesday, there are two all-Category One clashes as Everton host Southampton and Derby travel to Liverpool. The two Merseyside clubs were quarter-finalists last term and will be looking for a similarly long run in the competition this year. Southampton will prove tough opponents, having beaten West Ham in the last round with a strong side. Liverpool also made the last eight in 2013/14 before going out to Reading after a penalty shootout but Derby will present a stern test for the Reds. Awarded Category 1 academy status in the summer and thus promoted to the Premier League, the Rams have proved themselves comfortable at the top level and currently sit sixth in the North division, one point behind Liverpool having played three games fewer. The two sides played out a 5-5 draw when they last met in the league in November, with Liverpool’s Sergi Canos hitting a hat-trick, and he will have to be watched more closely on this occasion if Derby are to triumph.

In the remaining ties, Swansea host Doncaster Rovers, also on Wednesday, with a trip to the holders Chelsea at stake, while Tottenham wrap up the round on Thursday as they entertain Wolves. The week’s action kicks off tonight (Monday) as Mansfield play Stoke for a fifth-round trip to Manchester City, while Chesterfield go to Leicester.

Under-21s

The Under-21 Premier League is set for a quiet week, with just three games scheduled across both Divisions 1 and 2. In the top flight, the action continues today (Monday) as Sunderland entertain Norwich. Both sides sit precariously close to the base of the table and, with the threat of two relegation spots introduced to this year’s league, the points look crucial in this fixture.

Later in the week, on Friday evening, Chelsea have the chance to go back to the top of the table as they travel to West Ham, the league’s current bottom side. Nick Haycock’s Hammers have already played three times in January, winning once and losing on two occasions, while the Blues lost last time out at Manchester City in what was a little blow to their title hopes. With games against fellow high-flyers Southampton and Manchester United, last term’s champions will be looking to bounce back swiftly in east London.

In Division 2, there is just one game this week as Reading host Newcastle on Friday. The visitors will have the opportunity to extend their advantage at the top of the table and can boost their promotion hopes with a win in Berkshire.

The week in detail:

• Monday – Leicester v Chesterfield, Mansfield Town v Stoke City (FA Youth Cup), Sunderland v Norwich (Under-21 Premier League), West Brom v Chelsea (Under-18 Premier League)
• Tuesday – Burnley v Cardiff City (FA Youth Cup)
• Wednesday – Liverpool v Derby, Arsenal v Royston Town, Everton v Southampton, Swansea v Doncaster Rovers (FA Youth Cup), Fulham v PSV Eindhoven, Celtic v Villarreal (Premier League International Cup)
• Thursday – Tottenham v Wolves (FA Youth Cup)
• Friday – West Ham v Chelsea, Reading v Newcastle (Under-21 Premier League), 
• Saturday – Everton v Bolton, Manchester City v Liverpool, Derby v Newcastle, Sunderland v Middlesbrough, Blackburn v Stoke, Southampton v Arsenal, West Brom v Fulham, Chelsea v Norwich, West Ham v Brighton, Leicester v Reading, Tottenham v Aston Villa (Under-18 Premier League)

The week ahead: 12th-18th January 2015

It’s a jam-packed week in the youth programme, with domestic league action combining with three knockout cup competitions…

FA Youth Cup

After gently easing into the Fourth Round last week with one tie (Middlesbrough 2-3 Newcastle), this week sees the round get into full swing with seven games on the agenda. It starts with a triple-header on Tuesday as holders Chelsea continue the defence of their crown with a home tie against Huddersfield Town. The young Terriers have been impressive in the second tier this term, topping their section, and have giant-killing Cup pedigree after dumping out Manchester United last season.

United will be looking to reach the Fifth Round again as they host Hull City at Old Trafford, also on Tuesday, before their Manchester rivals City host Coventry City on Thursday.

Also looking for upsets against higher-tier opposition will be Ipswich Town as they travel to Sunderland and Crewe Alexandra as they host Bolton.

Meanwhile, the Fifth Round draw was made this week, details of which can be viewed in full here.

Under-21 Premier League

It’s a busy start to the week and most of that action comes in the Under-21 Premier League, with six games tonight (Monday). In Division One, Southampton have the chance to go top of the league as they travel to Motspur Park to take on Fulham, while at the other end of the table, with relegation of two sides to the second division a consequence of underachievement this campaign, Leicester City will be hoping to move away from West Ham at the foot of the table as they host Everton.

In Division Two, three of the top four are playing tonight and any one of them could be top by the end of play. Leaders Newcastle United host Bolton knowing that victory will keep them in first place, however both Arsenal (at home to Reading) and Middlesbrough (hosting Derby County) could capitalise in the event of a slip. With two promotion places up for grabs, the fight at the top promises to be fierce as we progress towards the end of the campaign.

Under-21 Premier League Cup

The remaining two last-16 ties are scheduled to take place this week as Blackburn face Aston Villa and then Norwich travel to Southampton looking to secure a quarter-final berth. Newcastle, Stoke, Huddersfield, Watford, Derby and holders Reading make up six of the last eight, with the quarter-final draw set to take place on Friday.

Premier League International Cup

The European Under-21 competition returns this week with both Chelsea and Manchester City involved. The Blues host FC Porto in their final Group A game, where a win would secure them a place in the knockout round. City are playing their second group game, against the Germans Schalke on Sunday, where a win would ensure both they and fellow English side Leicester City progress from Group C.

You can check out more from all the Under-21, Under-18 and European competitions, including every goalscorer and comprehensive club statistics, on our Wiki site.

The week in detail:

• Monday – Fulham v Southampton, Leicester v Everton, Liverpool v Sunderland,  Arsenal v Reading, Middlesbrough v Derby, Newcastle v Bolton (Under-21 Premier League), Blackburn v Aston Villa (Under-21 Premier League Cup)
• Tuesday – Chelsea v Huddersfield, Sunderland v Ipswich, Manchester United v Hull City (FA Youth Cup)
• Wednesday – Crewe v Bolton, Manchester City v Coventry City (FA Youth Cup), Chelsea v Porto (Premier League International Cup)
• Thursday – West Brom v Nottingham Forest, Blackpool v Birmingham City (FA Youth Cup), Everton v West Ham (Under-21 Premier League), Southampton v Norwich (Under-21 Premier League Cup)
• Friday – Stoke v Aston Villa (Under-21 Premier League)
• Saturday – Newcastle v Middlesbrough, Everton v Blackburn, Manchester United v Manchester City, Bolton v Liverpool, Wolves v Stoke, Derby v Sunderland, Reading v Arsenal, Aston Villa v Brighton, Tottenham v Leicester, Southampton v West Ham, Fulham v Norwich
• Sunday – Manchester City v Schalke (Premier League International Cup)

The week ahead: 5th-11th January 2015

After a fortnight’s break over the festive season, the development team programme resumes this week and there’s plenty of action to look forward to…

Under-21s

There’s been no action in the Under-21 Premier League since 17 December so it’s a welcome return for the older age group’s domestic league with seven games scheduled today (Monday). In Division 1, it’s extremely tight at the top of the table, with just three points separating first and seventh. It means Southampton, Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton all have the opportunity to go top today, while Saints striker Ryan Seager will be looking to start 2015 where he finished off last year as he sits on top of the individual goalscoring charts alongside Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom with nine goals.

At the other end of the table, West Ham and Leicester will be going head-to-head (also on Monday) as they battle to rise off the bottom, while Manchester City’s bust week continues on Thursday as they follow Monday’s trip to second-placed Southampton by hosting current leaders Chelsea. That game is live in the UK on BT Sport.

In Division 2, Arsenal have the chance to go top with victory at Wolves on Monday. With the top two from the second tier promoted at the end of the current campaign, there is plenty to compete for as we enter the second half of the season. West Brom and Reading may also have aspirations to gatecrash that promotion push and they face one another, again on Monday, while Brighton will be hoping to start 2015 on a positive note as they look to rise off the bottom of the table with a home game against Aston Villa.

Elsewhere, the Under-21 Premier League Cup resumes this week with a further two Round-of-16 ties. Middlesbrough host Stoke City and Leeds travel to Watford as all four sides look to join Newcastle United and holders Reading in the quarter-finals.

FA Youth Cup

The new year means the dawn of the Youth Cup Fourth Round and we have the opening game of the round taking place this week as Middlesbrough host Newcastle United in what promises to be an intriguing north-east derby. Boro came through Round 3 courtesy of two goals in the final minutes at Southend and they represent strong contenders to do well in the competition this term, while Newcastle were more comfortable 3-1 victors at Millwall.

The Geordies may call on the services of recent first team debutants Adam Armstrong and Callum Roberts, while striker Sean Longstaff has been in fine form in front of goal this season, hitting nine goals in the Under-18 Premier League. That haul is matched by Boro’s Alex Pattison and bettered by Junior Mondal, who has 11.

Under-18s

The youth team season resumes on Saturday with 14 of the 24 Category One academies in action. The regional league format is set to conclude at the end of next month, with the top six sides from the North and South sections joining to form the a top tier and the remainder of the clubs moving into a second division. That means there is plenty to play for as sides attempt to secure a top-six finish in their final seven or eight games.

In the North section, leaders Middlesbrough have a four-point advantage at the top of the table, though Manchester City will be hoping to reduce that deficit when they host Derby on Saturday, as will second-placed Everton as they travel to Sunderland.

In the South, West Brom will be targeting a place in that top six and they will be hoping to kick-start some momentum when they face second-placed Leicester City. The young Foxes themselves can go to within three points of leaders Chelsea with a victory.

Brighton & Hove Albion, new to this level after receiving an academy upgrade to Category One status in the summer, have adapted to the higher level well and currently sit fifth with 24 points from 14 games played. Their aim now will be to ensure they are in the top half when the split takes place and they continue down that avenue this week as they host fellow South Coast side Southampton.

You can check out more from all the Under-21, Under-18 and European competitions, including every goalscorer and comprehensive club statistics, on our Wiki site.

The week in detail:

• Monday – Southampton v Man City, Tottenham v Everton, West Ham v Leicester, Bolton v Blackburn, Brighton v Aston Villa, West Brom v Reading, Wolves v Arsenal (Under-21 Premier League), Middlesbrough v Stoke (Under-21 Premier League Cup)
• Tuesday – Watford v Leeds (Under-21 Premier League Cup)
• Thursday – Middlesbrough v Newcastle United (FA Youth Cup), Man City v Chelsea (Under-21 Premier League)
• Friday – Norwich City v Man United, West Ham v Tottenham, Wolves v West Brom (Under-21 Premier League)
• Saturday – Blackburn v Wolves, Man City v Derby, Stoke v Bolton, Sunderland v Everton, Brighton v Southampton, Leicester v West Brom, Norwich v Aston Villa